What Ingredients Should You Avoid in Your Haircare Products?
We’ve decoded these ingredients you won't find in cruelty free shampoo and conditioner, so you know exactly what to avoid if you want to choose clean haircare products.
Parabens: Parabens pop up in both your haircare and skincare routine. Being a preservative, these ingredients fight bacterial growth. However, you might want to avoid them if you have sensitive skin, rosacea and dermatitis, as they can be drying! Parabens also have mild estrogen-like qualities, which you may want to be mindful of as they can be absorbed through the skin, leading to potential, but unproven, health risks and hormonal disruptions.
Sulphates (SLS, SLES): We all love a richly lathering shampoo, but sadly, most of that foaming sensation comes from sulphates. Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate are common detergents and can cause dryness. If you already have dry tresses, you’ll probably want to omit the Sulphates. If you have coloured hair, this is an ingredient you might also want to avoid, so follow our guide to our top sulphate-free shampoos.
Phthalates: Phthalates are plasticisers that are commonly found in hairsprays and other hairstyling products. Phthalates add flexibility and durability to the plastic molecules, or polymers. While they are a commonly used chemical, they can be ingested into the body in a number of ways such as absorption and inhalation. Some countries have strict policies on Phthalates in skin and haircare because of its links to causing hormonal disruptions. So, while these risks aren’t clearly proven, they are something to be conscious of!
Aminophenol: Hair dyes and tints are often where you’ll find the harshest of ingredients, including Aminophenol. If you have a sensitive scalp, Aminophenol is a substance to avoid, as it’s known to cause irritation and discomfort.
p-Phenylenediamine: Sometimes known as PPD, this is another ingredient used in hair dyes. Unfortunately, PPD is often a major cause of allergic reactions when dyeing hair, which is why it is always important to do a patch test when trying out a new formula.
Triclosan: You may never have heard of Triclosan, but it features in many products you would use on a daily basis, from toothpaste to hand wash, and even haircare products! Triclosan is often included to prevent bacterial contamination, but it has been linked to hormonal disruption, and weakening the immune system.
Toluene: Toluene is used to create smooth, easy-to-apply formulas. However, being highly toxic, with long-term exposure Toluene can cause headaches, dizziness and respiratory problems. With so many easy alternatives available now, we recommend going toluene free.
Diethanolamine: Like Sulphates, Diethanolamine (DEA) helps shampoo foam up, and just like Sulphates, Diethanolamine isn’t particularly good for you! This chemical has been linked to a number of health risks and can cause dryness and irritation, making the extra bubbles so not worth it.
